Control for tractor mounted manure loaders



y 1953 D. K. STRUTHERS ET AL 2,638,237

CONTROL FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED MANURE LOADERS Filed Oct. 24, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ur 3% ,w m%% fi mmm Q m. 46 Z D M y 1953 D. K. STRUTHERS ET AL 2,638,237

CONTROL FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED MANURE LOADERS Filed Oct. 24, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- flo/mld ff. JZ'rui/vers I George Z0. Schroeder y m 2 a May 12, 1953 D. K. STRUTHERS ET AL CONTROL FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED MANURE LOADERS Filed Oct. 24, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR fionazd A. fiinzzwe/"s GPO/g6 ZZ/f Schroeder Q m 1 1 I- N o o Q mw y 2, 1953 D. K. STRUTHERS ET AL 2,638,237

CONTROL FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED MANURE LOADERS Filed Oct. 24, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR Donald A. Strut/7am George Z0. Schroeder Patented May 12, 1953 CONTROL FOR TRACTOR MOUNTED MANURE LOADERS Donald K. Struthers and George W. Schroeder, Des Moines, Iowa Application October 24, 1947, Serial No. 781,840

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a tractor mounted manure loader, which tractor is provided'with a hydraulic power take-01f mechanism, such as provided on a Ford tractor, and more particularly to a hydraulic control for said tractor mounted manure loader. Some of the mechanical features described in this application, which features pertain to the tractor mounted manure loader, form the subject matter of our copending application, Serial No. 768,570, filed August 14, 1947, now Patent No. 2,503,522.

The device of the present invention includes a scoop adapted to be loaded and elevated by the operation of the hydraulic power take-off mechanism which is built in the tractor, and an ejector plate for ejecting the loaded material from the scoop after the latter is loaded.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an auxiliary hydraulic mechanism for operating the ejector plate.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the auxiliary hydraulic mechanism just referred to is actuated by the hydraulic power lift mechanism of the tractor.

Another object is the provision of a novel arrangement whereby the ejector plate can be actuated in any position of the scoop.

A further object of the invention is the provision of locking means for locking the scoop in elevated position, which locking means securely locks the scoop during the ejecting or unloading operation, and at the end of the ejecting operation, the locking means is moved to a position where it can be easily unlocked by the operator.

Still another object is the provision of an arrangement for preventing the breakage of the parts of the loader; this arrangement is designed to cooperate with certain features of the hydraulic power take-d mechanism which forms a standard part of the tractor. Such arrangement includes means whereby if the ejector plate should become obstructed in its operation by an obstacle lodged in the scoop, the resistance encountered is transmitted through the auxiliary hydraulic mechanism to the hydraulic power lift mechanism, the latter proceeding to a point where it automatically shuts off.

A still further object is the provision of a special arrangement of features whereby the power applied to the ejector has the most effect when the load in the scoop is the greatest and the greatest application of force is mostdesired.

- Another object is the provision of hook means on the loader for connection thereto of a draft 2 vehicle when the loader is raised and in position for transporting; said hook is advantageously constructed and arranged so that it can be easily connected to the draft vehicle in the raising movement of the loader.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a loader and operating parts that when the loader is employed to load from a pile of material, high initial break-loose force is applied to lift a load from the pile.

With these and other objects in view, our invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of Our device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational View of the loader of the present invention applied to a tractor, the tractor being shown only partially;

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 with the loader elevated to its uppermost position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the loader in locked position which it assumes after reaching the position of Figure ,2, and showing the ejector plate in different positions of unloading;

, Figure 4 is a plan view of the loader in the position of Figure 3, the tractor being omitted except for a small portion of the frame;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View of the hydraulic power take-off mechanism of the tractor, and the auxiliary, hydraulic ram of the loader, in the positions assumed when the loader is in the position of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the hydraulic mechanisms in the positions when the loader is in the position of Figure 3.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a tractor i2 is represented by a portion of the rear thereof showing the parts essential for operation of the loader. The tractor It includes a frame It upon which is mounted a seat l6 which serves'as an operators station at the rear of the tractor. The tractor includes rear wheels 58, the near one of which is removed for purposes of illustration, and fenders 20, The ground or other supporting surface is indicated by the off mechanism of the tractor which derives its hydraulic fluid from the differential housing 22. The pump for the power take-off mechanism is included in the frame it and its detail operation insofar as it affects the action. of the loader of the present invention will be explained in detail later.

A shaft 24 is journaled in the upper part of the housingl t and is-sprovid'ed with means for rocking: bythehydraulic power takeroff." mechaze nism. Fixedly secured to the shaft 24, outwardly of the frame, are a pair of power lift arms 26;;

one on either end of the shaft 24. The power lift arms it normally extend tbthe reanof 'the tractor, or to the right as illustrated, and" are adaptor 33 is pivoted at All. to therespective supporting link 28 intermediate the endsof. the latter;,a rod 42, which in the present instance is preferably a rigid link, is threaded into the adaptors. 34 and. 38, being adjustable. therein for. lengthening and. shortening the. links. 32 as. a whole.

The. loader proper of the present invention is indicated as a whole at and is. mounted. on the. rear of the tractor. in rear ofthe frame [4 thereof and generally between the rear wheels l8. All references to directions in the present instance will be as oriented with'thedi'rections of the tractor,.thatis, forward'isto the left ortoward the fiont. of thetractor and rearwardisto the right or to the rear of the; tractor.

The loader 44 1 includes a plurality of prongs or teeth 45' spaced horizontally in a. common plane and extending rearwardly. The rear ends ofithe teeth M are provided with taperedportions 48 for facilitating penetration thereofjinto b the,ends of "the latter forming a rigid. assembly of teeth. The teeth 45 thereby form thefloor. or the bottom of the loader. The-space'dl'teeth 45" are effective and. convenient. for. loading,ma nure, but if other materials are to. behandled', such. asgrain. or soil, the teeth maybe covered withflatsolid sheet ofsteeltoform a closed;bottorn, forming ashovel,

Extending upwardly from the forward ends'wof the. teeth it andpositioned at the outermostteeth: are. a..pair ofupwardly extending rigid-membersor braces 54; The braces 54 are rigidly-:secureda to..the cross .piece Miami the: outermost teeth 46- as. by welding and extendgenerally'perpendicu larly upwardlyfrom the floor of the loader for aportion of their height. and-at the-upperpart thereof curve rearwardly and inwardly a'stindi-- catedattii. The upper ends ofthe braces-54ers. rigidly secured as by welding to a cross piece-158 which serves notonly as abrace-for theupper ends of the braces fit-but alsolas a .pivotsupport: for certain .operatingparts of theloader.

A pair of .side plates 60 are secured, one; on each sideof theloader, to. the respective outermostv toothtfi. andthe brace 54. as by welding. The:

niterconnecting the power lift arms H side plates 68 extend rearward and upward only a portion of the distances of the loader. Secured to the outer surface of each side plate 60 is a reinforcing bearing plate 62 to which is secured an outwardly extending stud 64. The studs 64 are adapted to be inserted in holes in the outermost or swinging ends of the supporting links 28. Thereaften securing means; such: as cotter keys 6th areise'cured in the stud's'tfifl i. for retaining the outer ends of the supporting links 23 thereon. The studs 54 will also be referred to as pivot points between the loader and the supporting. links 28s Plates 68 are secured to the loader, as by welding, .tolthe crosspiece 5B and the upwardly extending braces 54 to form a partial front wall of the loader. ta-inthe'rigidity'of the loader as a whole. That portion-of. the loader proper which has thus far been described will also be referred to as a scoop.

A hook. 6i? is rigidly secured to the cross piece 50' and" extends downwardly therefrom. The open end of the hook 69. is directed rearwardly, of'thel'oader' for connection with the tongue ofia draft vehicle.

Secured rigidly to. the cross member 58", as by. welding, are a pair of laterally'spacedbrace's or reinforcing members 79'. These braces Ill ex-' tendforwardlyand downwardly. Additional reinforcing'members l2'are'secured as by welding to respective ones of the braces i0 and extend rearwardly and diverge outwardly where their rearen'ds are secured to the upwardly extending, braces" 54 as by welding:

A guide" link orlocking link referred to as a whole at 14" is the" meansifor connecting the' up-' per portion of theloader'orscoop tothe'tractor' frame: The details of construction, operation, and function of the guide link M are fully dis closed in our copending application referred: to above. However; the guide" link '14 performs certain additional functions in the present invention, anditsconstruction and operation willbe:

7 referred toherein for the purpose of bringing out the'operation of'the present loader:

'Iheguidelink it includes a longitudinally 'eX- tending flat portion flfi -fromwhi'ch extenda pair of laterallyspaced wings 18 extending generally perpendicular to*-the plane of the portion TB The-wings 18 are pivoted to braces lll'by means of studs, 80. The longitudinal portion-190i the guide-link 74'" extends beyond" the wings 18' (to the i left 'in' Figure-'1) and is provided with a -bear= ing-"iii' havinga transverse opening therein.

A link 84 has one leg 86 pivoted on the frame" I 4- of the tractor at 88* adjacent the rear ther'e'of and substantially at the top" of thediiferential' housing '22. The other leg 9U extends-mearwardly-and is pivoted atsfi by a convenient bearing'pin in th'e bearing '8Z-of' 'the guidelihk'ldi The-"guide link l l 'is thereby free to pivot about the point 921-- secu red inz. the lint: 84-at the-point 9 4"is" an adaptors-5 which'in turn issecured to a rodefl extending-into. the tractor frame I 4-; A" compres sionispring I 6'8 surroundsthe root-98 and'isbiased' betweenitheadaptorsfi 'and the frame Northetractor: The-link; fizt andzlthe rod 5 88 and spring I form portionscofthe standardeq-uipment of the: tractor and form convenient means: for mounting: of 'the loader:

Aipair. of arms I02 are pivoted. onthe cross piece58l and. positioned inwardly,- of the braces 10 and. spaced laterally apart from' each other... Thetarms. Hi2- may be provided with. enlarge- 76 ments I04 or any other convenient means to.

These plates 63 also serve to main-',

form bearing portions for supporting the arms on the cross piece or bearing support 58. The arms I02 in the construction shown are, of course, inserted or placed on the cross piece 50 before securement of the braces and 54. As illustrated in Figure 1, the arms I02 extend downwardly and somewhat forwardly out of the forward end of the scoop and between the rear plates 66.

An ejector plate I06 is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending plates I08 which are provided with studs or bearing members H0. The studs IIO are received in holes in the lower ends of the arms I02. The ejector plate I06 extends transversely across the width of the scoop or loader and as illustrated in Figure l is positioned between the side plates 60. The ejector plate is straight transversely across the scoop and may be curved or bent rearwardly at its top and bottom. In the position of the arms I02 as shown in Figure 1, the ejector plate I06 is positioned closely adjacent the front end of the loader and is disposed generally perpendicular to the plane of the bottom of the scoop. The ejector plate I06 in its foremost position abuts or contacts the front of the loader.

A cross piece H2 is secured between the arms I02 adjacent the lower ends thereof and above the plates I08. A spring II4 has one end secured to the cross piece H2, and its other end secured to a chain or other flexible connecting member II6, the opposite end of the latter being connected to the ejector plate I06 adjacent the upper portion thereof.

A pair of stub arms I are pivoted to the cross piece 58, and angled rearwardly with respect to the arms I02. Brace members I 22 are secured to the outer ends of the stub arms I20 and to the arms I02. The braces I22 are secured as by welding, rendering the stub arms I20 rigid with the arms I02, the stub arms I20 being free to pivot about the cross member 58 in the swinging movements of the arms I02.

An auxiliary hydraulic ram is shown at I24. The ram is pivoted on a pin or rod I26 supported by and between the brace members 10. The ram I24 extends generally rearwardly and the extensible member or plunger I28 of the ram is pivoted at I30 in and between the stub arms I20. The ram I24 is provided with a fluid connection portion I 32 to which is connected a hose or other line I34. The line I34 extends forwardly where it extends into the frame at I36 and connects with the hydraulic power takeoff mechanism in a manner to be explained later.

One or more tension springs I38 are connected at one end at I40 with the stub arms I20, and at the other ends with the brace member 10, as indicated at I42. A handle I44 is rigidly secured to one of the side plates 60, and extends forwardly in such a direction that the outer end thereof is adjacent the operators station l6 when the loader is in elevated position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the operation of the hydraulic power take-off mechanism of the tractor, insofar as it affects the operation of the loader, will now be described.

As mentioned above, the lubricating fluid inserted in the differential housing 22 forms the hydraulic fluid for the power take-off mechanism. The oil in the differential housing partially fills the lower portion of the rear end of the casing I4. A sump is thereby formed, which is referred to diagrammatically at I46. A hydraulic pump I48 is positioned in the casing I4 in the sump I46. The pump I48 is constantly operated by the motive power of the tractor. The pump is provided with control valves I50 and I52 which are provided with stems I54 and I56, respectively, extending out of the pump. The outer ends of the stems I56 are connected to a lever or valve arm I60 which is pivoted at I62 in the frame I4 of the tractor. The valve arm I60 is adapted to be rocked about the pivot point I62 to various positions, two of which are shown in Figure 5; the full line position will be referred to for convenience as the raising position. The position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 will be referred to as the neutral position. The upper end of the valve arm I60 is provided with an extension having a pin I64 which is received between the prongs of a fork I66 formed on the lower end of a fork arm I68. Toward the upper end of the fork arm I68 is a projection I10 extending out from the side of the arm. Above the projection I10 is a compression spring I12 biased between the arm I68 and the frame I4 of the tractor. The fork arm I 68 is disposed within the interior of the frame I4, and an operating handle I14 extends outwardly of the frame in a position adjacent the operators station in the tractor.

The pump I46 is provided with an intake I16 and an outlet I18, both communicating with the sump I46. It will be understood that the intake I16 and the outlet I18 are shown diagrammatically and may be merely openings in the pump since the pump is immersed in the fluid or oil in the sump. A delivery line I leads from the pump I48 and has a portion I82 leading to and communicating with what will be called the main tractor ram I84. The ram I84 is provided with a piston I36 from which a connecting rod I88 leads outwardly. The outer end of the connecting rod I88 is pivoted at I90 to a lever arm I92, fixedly secured to the shaft 24 referred to above and to which are secured the power lift arms 26. When the piston I86 is extended out of the ram I64, the shaft 24 is rotated counterclockwise and the power lift arms 26 are elevated.

The foregoing portion of the hydraulic mechanisms just described are a standard part of the tractor and form a part of the power take-off mechanism. For operation of the loader of the present invention, the auxiliary ram I24 referred to above is connected to the power take-off mechanism and is included in the present diagram. A fluid line I94 is connected with the line I and leads to a three-branch or two-position valve I96. The valve I96 is a conventional valve including an operating handle I68 and a passage 200 therethrough. The hose or fluid line I34, referred to above, leads from the valve I96 to the auxiliary ram I24. It will be recalled that the extensible member I20 of the ram I24 is pivoted at I30 in the stub arms I 20 which are rigidly secured to the arms I02, a portion of which are included in Figures 5 and 6. Another fluid line 264 leads from the valve I96 to and communicates with the sump I46.

The description in connection with FigureS substantially covers Figure 6, but Figure 6 shows another position of the valve arm I66. The full line position of the valve arm I60 in Figure 6 is the neutral position which is the same as the dotted line position in Figure 5; the dotted line position of the valve arm I60 in Figure 6 will be referred to as the lowerin position.

U'se and operatz'on Referring to Figure. 1, it! will? be. noted that.

thezloader or scoop l i is inits lowerreal-position Imthisposition the outerends of therteeth. it

are inclicatedmelow the lvel of thel supporting,

in Fig-ure-E, to the raisingior fol-1 linenposition off This movement opens the valves I58 Figure-5.- and: .l52ll so that the pump I 18 pumps fi'uidjinto the main-tractor ram itil. The piston ittftherein is thereby. extended, which eievates the power liftrarms )lWancl, actingitlirough' the links SZ 'and supporting: links 28 elevates the loader. The

iiiovemeht is continued from the position ofthe" loadelhin Figure. 1 to the position of Fig'iii'elzf l'hlthei latter figure," it wilt be noted? that" the in addition to: berrie eicvatetl" is rotated" about the pivot points t l counterclockwise"; so that the teeth" 38 are inclined upwardly" and" rearwardlrwith respect to the" tractor; The scoop thereby; easily retainsthe material anthefioorpr teetlr'of the "scoop? Entire raisirrgmove meIfiJS'Of the scoop; the" guide link" 1's"- pivots" about the *p-itot point 92" and" assumes=the positi'on iiiustratedinFigure" 2, Withthe vv'iligs'it thereof straddlingthe compression spring" we.

J ust lo'eiore th'e s'eoop reaches its uppermost raiseti' position the piston- [filt -extends out or the rain-i 3W an'cien'gag'es the stop F1 iion the'foi arm its? Gontinoed movement or the pie as after ei'i'gagihg-th'e stop i ii? moveethe -fo/rk arn r E86 and the valvearm' 1% mm the fiill' line: positioi-is of Figures; to the fiiiidihe posi Figure 6. In the latter position, th s alve's lh'ii' and i 52 arein' neutral p'ositiomthat is; the pump i 38 is ne lohger effiective oit th'eranr: ail-'1. Motion: of the -loaeler or" scoop is thereb arrested; It" will be noted-ithat in the position- 01' Figurefl; or the; uppermost position. of the" scoop,xth'e follow ins-points are substantially'iii a straight line: namemfipivot point Mbetween' the supporting;

links fa anti the scoop; pivot: point 92 between:

thefl'guide -siink 'l t and the tractorframe; and pivot pointtt-betweentheguicie linirit and the: SQOQDu At this point equililorium-is-estalolisheziby the hydrauiioz system 111- 5118 hydraulic power: take-ofi-mechanism; The valves in the hydraulic" system arerclosedanclthe fluid inthe various lines is preventedfrom passingin any direction maintainingthescoop in the position of Figure 2 After the scoopis thus elevated andit is desired to unloadfthe scoop, the tractor is hacked to a vehicle so that the outer ends ofthe teeth 95 are positionedover the open top of the vehicle. Then the valve HJBis turned from'the position of Figurefi' to that of Figure" 6. The downward force exerted by'the load is exerted through the supporting links connecting" iinks32 and' power lift arms '26, against the piston" i365; forc in'g"th'e piston toward retracted position into the ram. A'portion of the-fluidfrom the ram lt fis foroed-throu-gh-the linei3 iilito the=auxi1iary ram {24. t

andsolieliy suppo'rt the upper enci of the sc'o'op' and prevent the latter from rotating further. ItwilPbe noted in this positionthat the pivot point t i between the supporting linksdt' and the scoop; and the pivot point i38 between the giiiife link le -and the scoop; areon a impel-ow the pit/'01)" pbint"fi2 "which" is the pit/0t p'oiht be tween the giiide link-f '5 3 and the tractor frame; Thescoo'p' is thuslo'ckeiiin elevated positi'o T-nis lockin'g feature is may covered" in our"o'0'-' pending application referredto above andth'at application may be referred to-for further" as: tails oroperation; 7

Upon retraction of th'e'piston I86} the springs It? swings the "fork arm I 69* and vaiire arm 16'0 from-the-ootted 1iri'e*-position"0fiiiigurefi to the full" lineposition therein; opening the var-es 1'51? and I52 to raising position; andsin'ce" thepump H3 is constantly operating, after the valve' wt is turned tothe'positionillustratedin Figure 6, fluid is forced throughtheliiies' It? i9 1; andlM', into "the auxiliaryramwzaj eXt fide mg the" extensible element 122;" in" the latter; Tliereupon'; the" Stub"a1"1f1s" l2l and thei'by' the arms IE2 are rotated counterclockwise about the cross memberts; Thisrotation 'ofth'e "arms" I02 causes the ejector plate 106' to he ext'hriedf outwardly of thescoop, as besttillustra'ted in" Figure 3. The plates I08ofthe'ejectorplate H6" have pivotal movement at! I hand the "lower" edge Of the ejector 1512,118 ISB' IGS'tS Oh the teeth 46". The position shovv'ri-- in Figure 1 of" the ejectorplaten-its retracted-"position; and when the late is extended" it' movesoutward-Malone 'theteeth. The full l i'ne'position of the" ejector-plate l I'6" ii1 Figurefishowsan intermediate p'ositit'in and u onfull extension of the auxiliary ram [23, the ejector plate lflfimove's to the dotted=-1ihe positioii iii Figure Throughout the movements of the ejector plate Hi6 from retracted. position to extended-position, the ejector plate is sub stantially perpendicular to the teethAB", althoughits-angle with respect thereto varies slightly from onepositi-on tothe next; The equilibrium-of the eiector plate ll'i'fi -is -maintained by theloacliin the-scoop: bearing thereag-ainsh a the outermost position of the ejectorsplate I 06; as shownmin dotted lines-v in Figure 3; the spring I I Mand -chain! l E -retain the ej ector plate I 08 from ifurther rotation ancl support it in; r the position shown In this-position, the lower edge of the ejector plateJflt is shownslightlfivspaoed fromthe outermost *ends'of theteeth and-such spacingtmay be varied slightly by any desiredlengthiofthespringri [4 and chain llt-andsthe lengthoi the teethwt. It isdsiredthatthe ejector plate lfl6t-move-to the outermosttipsof. the teeth.

The: auxiliary? ram 124 may be provide(i -with a convenient: stop-to limit the outward movement gagement with the stop I II on the fork arm I66. The piston I86 thereby moves the fork arm and valve arm I60 from the full line position of Figure to the full line position of Figure 6, the latter being a neutral position. The pump no longer forces fluid into the main tractor line I84, but merely operates through the intake I16 and outlet I18.

When the piston I86 is again extended as just referred to, the force of the piston I36 is again exerted through the power lift arms 26 which raises the scoop from the position of Figure 3 to the position of Figure 2, in which the guide link or looking link I4 is partially unlocked. In this position, it will be recalled that pivot points 64, 80, and 92 are substantially in a common line. The operator can then grasp the handle I44 and raise up on it, rotating the scoop clockwise about the pivot point 64. Substantially simultaneous with actuating the handle I44, the fork arm I68 is rotated by the operator from the position which it has just assumed, that is, the full line position of Figure 6, to the dotted line position of Figure 6 or to the lowering position. In the dotted line position of the valve arm I60 in Figure 6, the valves I50 and IE2 are moved to a position where the fluid from the piston I84 flows reversely through the line I80 through the pump and out the outlet I18. Obviously, at the same time, the fluid from the auxiliary piston I24 reverses and flows through the line I34, valve I96, and line I94, and so on with the flow of the fluid from the ram I84 into the sump. Thus, upon retraction of the piston in the ram I84, the scoop lowers by gravity. At the same time, the tension springs I38 bias the arms I02 and the ejector plate I06 to retracted position.

In the lowering operation, the valve I96 is turned from the position of Figure 6 to the position of Figure 5, whereby fluid from the ram I24 by-passes the hydraulic power take-off mechanism and returns through the return line 204 to the sump. In the latter operation, both the lowering movement of the loader and the retracting movement of the ejector plate I06 are hastened and brought quickly back to position for additional loading operations.

The springs I30 will exhaust ram I24 at any time that valve I96 is opened to the sump through line 204. This means that the ejector plate can be returned at any time and this return is completely independent of the position of the scoop or the motion of the scoop. This feature adds to the advantages of the loader in that it speeds its operation and permits a greater degree of flexibility in operation. I

The main tractor ram I84 and the auxiliary ram I24 being connected together, the reaction of either may be exerted through the other when an obstacle is encountered in operating the loader. The force per square inch required for actuating the auxiliary ram I24 is less than that required for the ram I64. Thus, if both rams are connected to the pump at the same time, the ejector plate operated by the auxiliary ram I24 will be actuated before any force takes effect on the main tractor ram I84 for raising the loader. In such a case, the weight of the loader retains the loader in lowered position, permitting the ejector plate to be moved to extended position. The dotted line position of the ejector plate I06 in Figure 1 indicated the possibility of such movement. When the ejector plate is moved to its outermost position, the stop in the auxiliary ram I24 prevents further movement, and the 10 force of the pump I48 is then exerted through the main tractor ram I84, raising the loader. When the loader reaches its uppermost position illustrated in Figure 2, the hydraulic system is then shut off as described above.

The feature last referred to provides a safety measure of the loader preventing breakage of parts. For example, if an obstacle such as a stone were lodged between the teeth of the fork and the ejector plate is extended, the stone may be lodged so tightly that the ejector plate I06 may tend to break before it is dislodged, the re-- action caused by the obstacle is transmitted to the main tractor ram I04. This ram is then extended, which elevates the scoop, raising it to the position of Figure 2 in which the fork arm I68 and valve arm I60 are moved to the position of Figure 6 or neutral position, preventing further movement of either the ejector plate I06 or the scoop. The operator can then manually remove the obstacle.

Another feature which is advantageous in the present invention is the high initial break loose force. When the scoop is backed to a pile of material and loaded, the initial force exerted, in raising the scoop is mainly directed toward raising the scoop, as such, as distinguished from the force tending to rotate the scoop about the pivot point 64. In other words, the raising movement in the first part of operating the scoop is greatest compared with the rotational movement of the scoop; this movement of the scoop is utilized for breaking loose the material from the pile. After the initial movement is accomplished and the load in the scoop is broken loose from the pile, the rotational movement of the scoop becomes increasingly greater and the raising movement of the scoop becomes increasingly less. After the load is loaded onto the scoop, the raising movement or the force applied to breaking the load loose is not required to be as great.

The manner of applying force to the ejector plate is also advantageously applied. When the ejector plate is in retracted position, for example, in Figure 2, the axial line 208 through the auxiliary ram I24 is substantially perpendicular to the'longitudinal line 2 I 0 through the cross member 58 and the stub arms I20. The force of the auxiliary piston I 24 is applied directly to the stub arms I20 and thereby the greatest force is applied to the ejector plate I06 when the ejector plate is retracted and the load in the scoop is bearing against it. As the ejector plate is extended, and the angle between the lines 208 and 2I0 becomes less, and less total force is applied, but less total force is required progressively as the ejector plate I 06 is extended because the load is being pushed off.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that either the scoop can be elevated or the ejector plate extended selectively and Without thenecessity of the other being actuated.

The draft hook 69 is arranged for most advantageous use in connection use of the loader. The hook 69 has an open portion directed generally rearwardly of the scoop and is adapted for hooking onto a draft vehicle for drawing the latter when the scoop is elevated. The hook can be hooked into an eyelet in the draft bar of the vehicle and the hooking operation accomplished by raising the loader. When the loader is raised, the open side of the hook is directed generally upwardly so that the draft tongue of the vehicle cannot easily be unhooked. The unhooking or disconnecting operation of the draft vehicle is .111 accomplished by reverse movement or by lowering.the.,scoop. The tractor can easily .be turned .inssmaller areas with the draft hook thus employed, was compared with ,a draft hook on the "frame of the tractor.

Thelhydraulic power take-off mechanism, such ,assillustrated inFigures 5 and 6,.as supplied with the Ford tractor, is customarily provided with a ,licightcontrol. The details of such heighttcon- .trol ,need not be described here but the purpose iof such a height control is to enable the lift arms 25 tolberaised to a predetermined point and retained there by the balance of fluid in the hy draulic system. The ejector plate m6 is also adapted to'be extended to any predetermined voir for said fluid; said loader comprising a scoop ,pivotally mounted on the tractor for vertical (swinging, ,an ejector mounted on said scoop for ,movement to-extended and retracted position, a supply line for pressurized-fluid from said pump,

valvetmeans associated with the pump, a control I member for selectively actuating said valve =means topermitor deny deliveryof fluid irom ,saidpump to. said supply line and to also permit drainage of fluid from said supply line, .a first rhydraulicramconnected to said supply line for raising said scoop, asecond hydraulic ram ccn- .nected .to said supply line for operating said ejector, said hydraulicrams being connected to said-ssupplyline at spaced points with the-first hydraulic ram connectedatra point closer to said .valve-smeansa two position valve in said supply line between said spaced points of connection, said .valve permitting selective operative connection of .-said:seccn,d ram to said supply-line and connection of-said second ram to said fluid reserivoir said first hydraulic ram being operatively associated with said control member, upon said ram raising said scoop to a-predeterininedheight, to -move said control member to a position-to deny-deliveryoi fluid to saidsupply line and to eliminate-control of the ,further delivery of fluid as -long as said scoop is maintainediat said pre determined height, a toggle linkage operatively associated with said scoop-and-adapted in a first range of positions to permit swinging of said scoqDand in a second range of positions toner- 1:2 mit loweringsaicl scooptoa lockedfilevatedposition below said predetermined height, and means for operating said loader comprising supplying pressurizedffiuid .to. said first ram, while the sec- .ond .ram is ,operatively disconnected from said .supplyline, to elevate said scoop to said predetermined theight, whereby the. delivery of vfurther fluid is denied and whereby said toggle linkage is moved into said second range of positions,

then OPeratively connecting said second ram to said supply line, whereby pressurized fluid from .said first ram ,is forced into said second ram, said 5.0.0.01) thereby being lowered and thus restorin control, of further delivery of ,fluid and thus. moving said toggle linkage into said locked elevated position and then supplying further pressurized fluid ,to said second ram to extend said ejector.

,2. ,A .loaderiora tractoras-set. forth in claimv 1, wherein saidsecond ram is adapted tooperate at alowerpressurethan said first ram, the pressurizediluid then, after further extension oisaid secondram is halted and uponthebuildingup of additional presl llrerin said supply line,v serving to ,again extend said ,first ram and move said scoop ,tosaid predetermined height, whereby the delivery of further fluid is again denied, and a handle ,extending'from ,said scoop, said handle aii'ording means vfortilting said scoop to move said-toggle linkage into said 'first'range .of, positions, and said'control member affordingactuating said valve meansto permit drainage of fluid from said supplyline to permit retraction of the ejector and lowering ofthe scoop.

3. A'loader'as set forth in.c1aim:'1 wherein said ejector is springbiased'toward the retractedposn tion.

'4. A leader as set forth in claims "1 and.2 wherein said twoposition valve connects said, second ram to said fluid reservoir after further extension-ofsaid secondrram is halted, whereby subsequent drainageof the rams maybe achievedjin a smallerlapsed time "for a complete cycle of operation.

DONALD K. STRU'I'HEBJS. GEORGE W. SCHROEDER.

lteferenoes Cited in the his of this patent UNITED STATES'PA'I'ENTS Number Name :Date

12,397,045 Richey, s Mei-n19, 19%6 2,397,046 Richey. Mar. 19, 11946 2, 409, 39.2 Millikin l Oct. "15, "19:16 2,418,661 Palm V Apr. 3, 1951-7 2;441,591 Owen t ,-l May 18, 1,9598 2,593,522 Struthersret al. Apr. 11, 1950 2,517,582 Lull Aug. 8, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 124,793 .Great Britain Apr. 10, 1919 

